TWISK’s view about the recent election result as summarised last week is:
“The council is finely balanced, with three ‘progressive’ councillors (Louise Crawford, Libby Buckingham and Justin Halliday), three non-aligned independents (Heather Cunsolo, Alex Makin and Serge Thomann) and three RoPP councillors (Bryan Mears, Rod Hardy and Beti Jay).”
And Marcus Pearl in one of his recent election updates describes RoPP as a “strong voting bloc” and in a “commanding position” on Council.
But do these views accurately reflect what the election outcome has delivered for the Port Phillip community?
In three wards, the RoPP message of freezing rates and sticking to roads and rubbish (‘delivering for the place, not the populace’, as it says) were supported by enough voters to deliver three councillors.
In the six remaining wards however, voters elected candidates who supported a much broader role for Council with an emphasis on community services, housing, the arts, action on climate and strengthening community engagement in council decision-making, in addition to efficiently delivering ‘the basics’.
Indeed,over45% of first preference votes went to candidates who affirmed a policy framework developed and launched by Progressive Port Phillip in March this year as part of a community campaign to achieve a more unified and a more progressive Council.
Councillors Crawford, Buckingham, Halliday and Makin were among those candidates who affirmed the framework during their campaigns. All were also PECAN recommended candidates for supporting action on climate change.
Returning Councillor Heather Cunsolo, while not affirming the PPP framework, has a strong community focus and was also a PECAN recommended candidate for supporting local climate action.
Councillor Serge Thomann made commitments during the campaign to action on climate change, support for the arts, and a fairer and more engaged city. He supported the Streets People Love campaign for safe and pleasant streets, as did Councillors Halliday and Makin.
This appears to be a more fluid Council than the last one, which was a fraught balance between four conservatives, four progressives and one non-aligned councillor.
The result could portend greater harmony among councillors and a majority willing to collaborate and make decisions for the good of us all – for both people and place.
John Spierings and Ann Byrne Co-Conveners, Progressive Port Phillip
